Japan's Famous Hot Spring & Autumn Leaves/Luxury Hotel/Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel, Aomori

@Travel Lover♡Anna

Travel Lover♡Annayoutubethe post

Experience a luxury stay at Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu in Aomori, featuring river-view outdoor onsen rooms, apple-themed dining, and stunning autumn foliage tours along the Oirase Gorge.

2 plans · 5 places · 6 experiences

Plan · 3 places · Aomori, Japan

Tokyo to Aomori: Shinkansen & Hotel Shuttle

“My journey from Tokyo to Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel involved a scenic Shinkansen ride to Shin-Aomori, followed by a convenient hotel shuttle bus through the autumn-leaf-lined roads.”

Experience · 2 places
Shinkansen to Aomori
I'm heading to Aomori from Tokyo by Shinkansen, specifically the 'Hayabusa' train, which takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes. All seats are reserved, and I booked a window seat in the business car (No. 8) for a comfortable journey. The ticket to Shin-Aomori costs 17,670 JPY one-way, but I got a 3-day pass for 22,150 JPY due to a campaign. If you're a foreign tourist, consider buying a JR Pass before your trip. I grabbed some mini rice balls with shrimp tempura and a sweet for the ride, which was simple but satisfying. The view from the window changes dramatically as you travel north, from Tokyo's skyscrapers to more rural landscapes.
1
Tokyo Station
Transit station · Chiyoda City
4.3 (134,459)
Creator's voice
The main hub in Tokyo, where you can find many bento boxes for your Shinkansen journey. Popular ones sell out quickly, so grab yours early.
Tokyo Station, 1 Chome Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
2
Shin-Aomori Station
Train station · Aomori
3.9 (1,765)
Creator's voice
The arrival point in Aomori for the Shinkansen. Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel offers a shuttle bus pick-up here at 3 p.m.
Shin-Aomori Station, Takama-140-2 Ishie, Aomori, 038-0003, Japan
Experience · 2 places
Shuttle Bus to Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel
After arriving at Shin-Aomori, I was surprised to get a call from the hotel shuttle bus driver, who was already waiting for me, even though I expected to wait an hour. The bus ride from Shin-Aomori to Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. It's highly recommended to book this shuttle bus, otherwise, you might need to rent a car. The drive offers beautiful views of the autumn leaves, especially along the road leading to the hotel, which I really enjoyed.
2
Shin-Aomori Station
Train station · Aomori
3.9 (1,765)
Creator's voice
The arrival point in Aomori for the Shinkansen. Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel offers a shuttle bus pick-up here at 3 p.m.
Shin-Aomori Station, Takama-140-2 Ishie, Aomori, 038-0003, Japan
3
Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel
Hotel · Towada
4.4 (25)
Creator's voice
A luxury hotel in Aomori where you can enjoy spectacular autumn leaves, especially from mid-to-late October. Prices are high during this season. It's a huge property with multiple lounges, shops, and public hot springs. They focus on reducing environmental impact, so room cleaning and amenities are by request.
Oirase Keiryu Hotel by Hoshino Resorts, Tochikubo-231 Okuse, Towada, Aomori 034-0301, Japan
Mori no Shinwa (Myth of the Forest) Lobby — This lobby features a massive 8.5-meter high, 5-ton bronze fireplace by Taro Okamoto, completed in 1991, representing forest birds, mushrooms, and fairies. They offer welcome drinks like apple juice, sake, cider, apple tea, and nuts after 3 p.m.
Hotel Shop (Apple products) — A shop within the hotel selling many apple-themed products like apple tea, apple butter, and apple sweets, as Aomori is famous for its apples. They also sell small bags, wallets, books, and winter clothes.
Hotel Shop (Accessories) — Another shop in the hotel selling accessories like earrings and necklaces.
Kashin Lounge — The second lounge, featuring a 10-meter high, 7-ton aluminum alloy fireplace completed in 1996. It's designed to evoke water nymphs from the Oirase mountain stream, offering a relaxing space to read or enjoy the view.
Japanese-style Room with River View Outdoor Bath · ¥149,000 — A spacious 68 m² twin-bed room that can accommodate 1-5 people. It features a private outdoor hot spring bath on the terrace with a view of the Oirase Mountain Stream, offering a luxurious and relaxing experience. Only three such rooms are available, so book well in advance, especially for autumn leaves season.
Room amenities (pajamas, socks, loupe) — The room provides pajamas and socks for comfort. A loupe is also provided for exploring the Oirase Keiryu Gorge, allowing you to observe small details.
Welcome sweets — Upon arrival, you receive welcome sweets including a chocolate cookie, dried apples with mixed nuts, and scallops with basil sauce.
Environmental impact measures — The hotel implements measures to reduce its environmental impact, meaning amenities are provided only upon request (e.g., toothbrush), and rooms are not cleaned daily unless a requesting magnet is placed on the door.
Moss chocolate — A unique chocolate with a subtle apple taste, named 'moss chocolate'.
Aomori Ringo Kitchen — A buffet restaurant dedicated to Aomori's famous apples, offering dishes made with apples and an apple-themed interior for an exciting dining experience. Dinner reservations are made at check-in.
Dinner buffet (Day 1) — The first night's dinner buffet at Aomori Ringo Kitchen included a salad bar, cheese, sausages, hot plate dishes like steak and deep-fried scallops with tartar sauce, cold pasta, udon noodles, shrimp with mustard, marinated salmon, seafood gratin, grilled vegetables with apple salt, grilled chicken with herbs, and a DIY sashimi bowl with fresh shrimp, salmon, and tuna. Desserts included fresh grapes and apples, apple tart, chocolate orange, no-bake cheesecake, tiramisu, and hot apple pie with soft-serve ice cream. They also offered three types of apple juice (Fuji, Tsugaru, Ourin). The steak and scallops were particularly tasty, and the hot apple pie was fresh and delicious.
Public hot spring bath — The hotel offers public hot spring baths, open from 5 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to midnight. You should bring a bath towel from your room. The changing room is where you leave your bath towel, taking only a body towel inside. You can use the body towel to hide your body, but don't dip it in the public bath. The sulfur smell can be strong after cleaning. The view from the bath is nice, and it's also beautifully lit at night.
Breakfast buffet (Day 2) — The breakfast buffet at Aomori Ringo Kitchen included fresh sliced vegetable salad, fried burdock, pickles, potato and pumpkin salads, scallop and kelp ramen, various breads (cheese curry bread, croissants, salt bun, melon bread, pain viennois with cream, strawberry, cheese, and tea muffins, fruit danish), salted squid guts, salmon and salmon roe, soft bacon, boiled sausages, scrambled eggs, granola, cereals, milk pudding, and fresh apples. The ramen with kelp and scallops was interesting, and the fresh apples were tasty.
Dinner buffet (Day 2) — The second night's dinner buffet at Aomori Ringo Kitchen had some changed dishes, notably roasted beef instead of steak.
Apple butter — Jars of apple butter, which the creator found tasty with bread.
Apple cookie — An apple cookie purchased as a souvenir, though the creator found it too sweet.
Star-watching tour — A free star-watching tour offered by the hotel. You can rent boots for free. It's very dark, but you can see many stars.
Outdoor breakfast — An optional outdoor breakfast that costs extra. It offers breathtaking views but can be very cold. The meal includes an open-face smoked salmon sandwich, croissant sandwich with ham, chicken tartine, spinach quiche, sausages, soup, salad, fruits, and yogurt, served in a cute basket. They provide a hot-water bottle and a jacket to keep you warm. The soup is hot and tasty, and the sandwiches are good.

Plan · 3 places · Aomori, Japan

Oirase Gorge Exploration Day

“I spent a full day exploring the Oirase Keiryu Gorge, starting with an open bus tour to Lake Towada, then relaxing at the Autumn Leaves Lounge, and finally taking a quick hike to see Ashura no Nagare.”

Experience · 2 places
Open Bus Tour of Oirase Keiryu Gorge
I took the open bus tour of Oirase Keiryu Gorge, which leaves at 11 a.m. from the second lounge and costs 3,000 JPY during high season (2,500 JPY in low season). You sit on the open second floor, which offers fantastic views. As you head towards Lake Towada, you'll see the Oirase Gorge on your right and many waterfalls on your left. The gorge is stunning, especially with the vibrant red and yellow autumn foliage, which peaks around late October to early November. The bus takes about 45 minutes to reach Lake Towada, a dual-crater lake. The weather cleared up during the tour, making the views even better. The bus allows you to see the gorge without having to drive or walk the entire 14km.
4
Oirase Keiryu Gorge
Nature preserve · Towada
4.7 (216)
Creator's voice
One of Japan's most beautiful river valleys, extending over 14 km from Lake Towada. It's known for its vibrant and fast-flowing water, especially spectacular for autumn foliage from late October to early November, when leaves turn red and yellow, complementing the vivid green moss on rocks. It has an enchanting atmosphere with many waterfalls and thick woods. Visitors can hike along the gorge on a dedicated trail. It's designated as a National Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a National Natural Monument.
Oirase keiryū Gorge, 奥入瀬川 Oirase Okuse, Towada, Aomori 034-0301, Japan
5
Lake Towada
Lake
4.4
Creator's voice
A dual-crater lake in Aomori that formed after a huge volcanic eruption. It takes about 45 minutes to reach from Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel.
Lake Towada, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Relaxing at Keiryu Autumn Leaves Lounge
I visited the Keiryu Autumn Leaves Lounge, which is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and costs 1,500 JPY. You can choose a cocktail; I picked a caramel liquor with milk tea and cinnamon. The lounge offers a really nice view, but it can be cold, so make sure to wear warm clothes. The drink was slightly sweet, and the leaf-shaped gummies were a cute touch.
3
Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel
Hotel · Towada
4.4 (25)
Creator's voice
A luxury hotel in Aomori where you can enjoy spectacular autumn leaves, especially from mid-to-late October. Prices are high during this season. It's a huge property with multiple lounges, shops, and public hot springs. They focus on reducing environmental impact, so room cleaning and amenities are by request.
Oirase Keiryu Hotel by Hoshino Resorts, Tochikubo-231 Okuse, Towada, Aomori 034-0301, Japan
Mori no Shinwa (Myth of the Forest) Lobby — This lobby features a massive 8.5-meter high, 5-ton bronze fireplace by Taro Okamoto, completed in 1991, representing forest birds, mushrooms, and fairies. They offer welcome drinks like apple juice, sake, cider, apple tea, and nuts after 3 p.m.
Hotel Shop (Apple products) — A shop within the hotel selling many apple-themed products like apple tea, apple butter, and apple sweets, as Aomori is famous for its apples. They also sell small bags, wallets, books, and winter clothes.
Hotel Shop (Accessories) — Another shop in the hotel selling accessories like earrings and necklaces.
Kashin Lounge — The second lounge, featuring a 10-meter high, 7-ton aluminum alloy fireplace completed in 1996. It's designed to evoke water nymphs from the Oirase mountain stream, offering a relaxing space to read or enjoy the view.
Japanese-style Room with River View Outdoor Bath · ¥149,000 — A spacious 68 m² twin-bed room that can accommodate 1-5 people. It features a private outdoor hot spring bath on the terrace with a view of the Oirase Mountain Stream, offering a luxurious and relaxing experience. Only three such rooms are available, so book well in advance, especially for autumn leaves season.
Room amenities (pajamas, socks, loupe) — The room provides pajamas and socks for comfort. A loupe is also provided for exploring the Oirase Keiryu Gorge, allowing you to observe small details.
Welcome sweets — Upon arrival, you receive welcome sweets including a chocolate cookie, dried apples with mixed nuts, and scallops with basil sauce.
Environmental impact measures — The hotel implements measures to reduce its environmental impact, meaning amenities are provided only upon request (e.g., toothbrush), and rooms are not cleaned daily unless a requesting magnet is placed on the door.
Moss chocolate — A unique chocolate with a subtle apple taste, named 'moss chocolate'.
Aomori Ringo Kitchen — A buffet restaurant dedicated to Aomori's famous apples, offering dishes made with apples and an apple-themed interior for an exciting dining experience. Dinner reservations are made at check-in.
Dinner buffet (Day 1) — The first night's dinner buffet at Aomori Ringo Kitchen included a salad bar, cheese, sausages, hot plate dishes like steak and deep-fried scallops with tartar sauce, cold pasta, udon noodles, shrimp with mustard, marinated salmon, seafood gratin, grilled vegetables with apple salt, grilled chicken with herbs, and a DIY sashimi bowl with fresh shrimp, salmon, and tuna. Desserts included fresh grapes and apples, apple tart, chocolate orange, no-bake cheesecake, tiramisu, and hot apple pie with soft-serve ice cream. They also offered three types of apple juice (Fuji, Tsugaru, Ourin). The steak and scallops were particularly tasty, and the hot apple pie was fresh and delicious.
Public hot spring bath — The hotel offers public hot spring baths, open from 5 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to midnight. You should bring a bath towel from your room. The changing room is where you leave your bath towel, taking only a body towel inside. You can use the body towel to hide your body, but don't dip it in the public bath. The sulfur smell can be strong after cleaning. The view from the bath is nice, and it's also beautifully lit at night.
Breakfast buffet (Day 2) — The breakfast buffet at Aomori Ringo Kitchen included fresh sliced vegetable salad, fried burdock, pickles, potato and pumpkin salads, scallop and kelp ramen, various breads (cheese curry bread, croissants, salt bun, melon bread, pain viennois with cream, strawberry, cheese, and tea muffins, fruit danish), salted squid guts, salmon and salmon roe, soft bacon, boiled sausages, scrambled eggs, granola, cereals, milk pudding, and fresh apples. The ramen with kelp and scallops was interesting, and the fresh apples were tasty.
Dinner buffet (Day 2) — The second night's dinner buffet at Aomori Ringo Kitchen had some changed dishes, notably roasted beef instead of steak.
Apple butter — Jars of apple butter, which the creator found tasty with bread.
Apple cookie — An apple cookie purchased as a souvenir, though the creator found it too sweet.
Star-watching tour — A free star-watching tour offered by the hotel. You can rent boots for free. It's very dark, but you can see many stars.
Outdoor breakfast — An optional outdoor breakfast that costs extra. It offers breathtaking views but can be very cold. The meal includes an open-face smoked salmon sandwich, croissant sandwich with ham, chicken tartine, spinach quiche, sausages, soup, salad, fruits, and yogurt, served in a cute basket. They provide a hot-water bottle and a jacket to keep you warm. The soup is hot and tasty, and the sandwiches are good.
Experience · 1 place
Exploring Ashura no Nagare
Before my shuttle bus left for the station, I took another shuttle bus to the Oirase Gorge specifically to see Ashura no Nagare. I caught the 9 a.m. bus and had to be back by 10 a.m. If you have enough time, I highly recommend walking around the Oirase Gorge. While the open bus tour was nice, hiking allows you to truly experience the beauty up close. Ashura no Nagare is particularly amazing, and I wanted to see it for myself. You can use the loupe provided in the room to explore the 'small world' of moss and tiny details.
4
Oirase Keiryu Gorge
Nature preserve · Towada
4.7 (216)
Creator's voice
One of Japan's most beautiful river valleys, extending over 14 km from Lake Towada. It's known for its vibrant and fast-flowing water, especially spectacular for autumn foliage from late October to early November, when leaves turn red and yellow, complementing the vivid green moss on rocks. It has an enchanting atmosphere with many waterfalls and thick woods. Visitors can hike along the gorge on a dedicated trail. It's designated as a National Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a National Natural Monument.
Oirase keiryū Gorge, 奥入瀬川 Oirase Okuse, Towada, Aomori 034-0301, Japan

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